Cacheuta Thermal Hotel & Resort[1] in Mendoza, Argentina[2] stands on the spot of an old thermal hotel and keeps the traditions of this historic structure alive. Built in 1910, the original hotel was a luxurious 152 room dwelling with individual thermal baths and a casino, but was tragically destroyed by a 7 metre high wave caused by a glacier flood. Today, the splendid hotel, which opened in 1986, has 16 rooms made of remains from the old building as well as local materials like stone and recycled railway sleepers from a train track that used to cross the Andes to Chile[3]!

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The resort’s architecture is alpine[5] and has an outdoor sitting deck overlooking the large garden with bamboo parasols that protect visitors from Mendoza’s hot summer sun. The fresh green garden is fenced in by original stone walls from the old thermal hotel, and features gorgeous water fountains and lots of local plant life. The swimming pools’ classic veranda is also restored from the old hotel.

Inside the walls, there is a solarium full of terracotta pots on recycled railway sleepers[6] to help visitors unwind – the perfect place for a siesta. Visitors are then given white robes and encouraged to first detox for 10 minutes sweating at an underground sauna made from stone, but there are many indoor and outdoor geothermal pools to check out after that. The thermal pools contain calcium chloride and calcium sulfate set at different temperatures so guests can relax and make themselves comfy. If you’re still looking for a holiday gift for your favorite person, we highly recommend sending them to this tucked away retreat. And while you’re at it, can you send us a ticket too?